Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has provided an update on the fitness of key midfielder Reo Hatate, and given a timeline as to when he could return from injury.
The Japanese internationalist pulled up seven minutes into a crucial Champions League game with Atletico Madrid at the end of October and has struggled with fitness since. He came on for the closing stages of a 3-0 win away at St. Mirren at the turn of the year before heading to play with his country at the Asian Cup.
In Qatar, however, Hatate got injured again. He now has issues with both of his calves.
Throughout the season and since Rodgers has returned to Glasgow, the 26-year-old has never gained a consistent level of capability. He has made just 11 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops this campaign.
Ahead of the run-in, however, he could come back into the team and make an impact. On Friday, the gaffer provided an update on his condition, admitting he could return within the month.
Rodgers was asked whether Hatate would come back into the team before the international break at the end of March, to which he replied (The Celtic Way): “Hopefully, it will be before that in terms of being with the squad, but he may not be available to play until after it.
“He’s working really well, and we’ll be happy when he is back.”
Celtic have three more games until the next international break that takes place on the weekend of 23/24th March. The first match back after it – Livingston away – at the tail end of the month could be earmarked as one in which Hatate makes a long-awaited return.
Notably, this is the last game before the Glasgow derby at Ibrox on April 7th. Having a player such as the treble-winner, who has a knack for unlocking stout defences and conjuring up some magic from nothing, back for a title-defining clash would be a colossal boost for Celtic.
He’s been out with muscle problems won’t be up to speed even when fit to play he was off form for couple of months then he began to look like the player when we he first came was being to look like himself then went to asian cup maybe pushed himself for that tournament Rodgers wouldn’t be pleased came back with double calf injury even though brenardo done well kyogo missed his through passes Rodgers missed his speed and passing around the pitch our injuries this season to important players and reluctant to spend bug knowing those players returned Europe proved last three seasons our squad not team are good enough for spl but not champions leaque but the season through injuries asain cup it has been stretched to breaking point thus those lost points and poor form lats two games we’ll second half at firpark we look more ourselves players passing with confidence going forward not sideways so we will see if we can continue at tynecastle there a different team when the play Celtic and there pitch aint as good as fir park tuff one and players have the chance to tell spl teams we are back getting back to our best